Flip chart



D66. 8, 1970 v H; w, PER$H|NG ETAL 3,545,112

. FLIP CHART Filed Nov. 18. 1968 United States Patent C 3,545,112 FLIP CHART Harold W. Pershing, Palos Verdes Estates, and Gaston Meuleman, Hawthorne, Calif., assignors to Northrop Corporation, Beverly Hills, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Nov. 18, 1968, Ser. No. 776,378 Int. Cl. B42f 3/04 U.S. Cl. 40--104.18 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A display fixture adapted to have sheet material displayed thereon and including features of construction rendering the fixture self-supporting and enabling material to be easily positioned and removed therefrom.

The present invention relates generally to display fixtures and more particularly to display fixtures normally referred to as flip charts, on which sheet material and the like may be readily displayed. The present display fixture is constructed in a novel manner rendering it self supporting or enabling it to be supported on an easel. Further the device is constructed in a manner making possible sheet material to be rotatably moved from one side to the other or to be completely removed therefrom.

An object of the present invention is to disclose a display fixture which is self-supporting.

Another object is to disclose a display fixture adapted to have sheet material releasably secured thereon and includes means whereby sheet material may easily be placed thereon and removed therefrom.

Another object is to disclose a display fixture which is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

Although the characteristic features of the present invention are particularly pointed out in the appended claims, the invention itself, also the manner in which it may be carried out, will be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the display fixture disclosed herein containing sheet material.

FIG. 2 is a view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of FIG. 1 showing particularly the manner in which the mounting means is secured to and released from fixed portions of the fixture.

Referring to the drawing and particularly to FIG. 1, a display fixture 11 of the type disclosed herein is shown in perspective. The fixture 11, normally referred to as a flip chart includes fore and aft sheet-like portions 12 and 14. The portions 12 and 14 are of rectangular configuration and as assembled respective edges of the portions 12 and 14 lie in common planes.

The forward portion 12 is of integral construction while the aft portion 14 constitutes upper and lower portions 16 and 17, respectively, each of rectangular configuration. The upper portion 16 is fixedly secured to the forward portion 12 with its top edge coinciding with upper edge of the portion 12. The upper and lower portions 16 and 17 are secured together for pivotal movement by means of a piano type hinge 18 as best seen in FIG. 2.

A metal strip 19 (FIG. 2), also of rectangular configuration, is utilized in securing the upper portions of the portions 12 and 16 together in fixed relation with the upper edges of the portions 12 and 16 and strip 19 are positioned in a common plane. Securing means, such as rivets, welding, brazing, etc. may be used for this purpose.

The lower portion of a second piano type hinge 21 is secured to portion 12, as by rivets 22 or the like, the axis of the hinge 21 having a parallel relation with the upper edges of the portions 12, 16 and the strip 19. Secured to the upper portion of the hinge 21 is a second metal strip 23 substantially of rectangular configuration as shown in FIG. 2. The strips 23 and 19 are referred to hereafter as the primary and secondary strips, respectively.

Secured to the strips 19 and 23, as by welding, brazing or the like, are split rings 25, fabricated of a metallic material consisting of portions 24 and 26.

As secured to the strips 19 and 23, it will be seen that the ring portions 24 and 26 cooperate to provide the aforementioned split rings 25 at such times as the strip 23 is positioned in its raised position as shown by solid construction in FIG. 2. In this respect it will also be seen that the extent of the annular portion 24 exceeds that of the portion 26. Thus it will be apparent the portion 24 will accommodate a greater quantity of material 27 without a portion thereof being dislodged from the portion 24 at such times as the strip 23 is in its lowered position (dotted construction in FIG. 2). In fact the portion 24, in its lowered position constitutes a cradle-like arrangement for the material 27 and makes possible the easy removal or addition of sheets comprising the material 27.

It will be understood, that the hinge 21 is secured to the forward portion 12, so that the upper edges of the portions 12 and 14 and strips 19 and 23 are positioned in a common plane at such times as the strip 23 is in its raised position.

The strip 23 is retained in its raised (locked position) by a U-shaped clamp member 28. The clamp 28 is pivotally movable by a projecting arm portion 29 thereof which is attached to the portion 14 and the strip 19 substantially as shown in FIG. 2. The U-shaped portion of the clamp 28 in its locked position embraces the strips 19 and 23 as well as the sheets 12 and 14 and retains the strip 23 in its raised position. It will be apparent that the strip 23 may be released upon pivotal movement of the clip member 28 to its released position (dotted construction in FIG. 3). Sheets may thus be added to or removed from the portion 24 of the ring 25.

The portions 12 and 14 may be fabricated of any material having rigid characteristics such as sheet metal, fiberboard etc. capable of imparting the aforementioned self-supporting qualities to the fixture 11. Construction of the fixture 11 is completed by flexible ties 31 extending between the portions 12 and 17 allowing the latter to be pivotally moved through a predetermined angle with respect to the portion 12. This feature (ties 31), cooperating with the rigid portions 12 and 17, provide a suitable base for the facility 11 at such times as the latter is used on a flat surface.

Thus it will be seen that a display fixture is provided (d) said primary strip having its lower edge pivotally secured to said forward portion and parallel to the upper edge of said forward portion, said primary strip being adapted to pivot relative to said forward portion, between raised and lowered positions.

(c) said secondary strip being fixedly secured to said aft portion with the upper edge thereof coinciding .with the upper edges of said forward and aft portions;

(f) ring portions including mating portions of substantially semiannular configuration;

(g) said ring portions being secured to said primary and secondary strips, respectively, in opposing relation whereby they cooperate to define members of annular configuration at such times as said primary strip is in said raised position;

(h) and clamp means mounted on said aft portion and secondary strip for pivotal movement between engaged and disengaged positions in which it functions to retain said primary strip in its raised positon and releases same to its lowered position, respectively.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1:

(a) in which said clamp means constitutes a leg and a body portion the latter being of U-shaped configuration adapted to embrace said primary and secondary strips at such time as said primary strip is in said raised position.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2:

(a) in which said primary and secondary strips constitute metal strips and the ring portions are secured thereto by welding or the like.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3:

(a) in which the length of the ring portion secured to said primary strip exceeds the length of the ring portion secured to said secondary strip.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,115,964 11/1914 Noonan 402-34 2,083,556 6/1937 Buchan 402-34 2,331,461 10/1943 Dawson et a1. 402-34 2,613,956 10/1952 Ericson 28133 20 EUGENE R. CAP'OZIO, Primary Examiner L. R. OREMLAND, Assistant Examiner Us." 01. X.R. 

